Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Revelation 2:19 – Defining Works
Jesus says to the church in Thyatira, “I know your works — your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first” (Revelation 2:19 HCSB). The original Greek did not have punctuation, so adding it becomes part of the translation, and the interpretation. For example, both the HCSB and the NET set off by punctuation (either a hyphen or colon) “works/deeds” from the rest of actions, interpreting the rest as the specific works or deeds. Suggesting this is correct is the very next phrase, “Your last works are greater than the first.” So Thyatira’s works are love, faithfulness (or faith), service, and endurance. If this is correct, and considering how much nowadays is said against works versus faith, we can see that faith or faithfulness (which is the outcome of faith), is actually a work. So is love, and how many would state we can be saved without loving God? Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (Jn.14:15). An extension of this and another possible interpretation is that just as works is defined by love, faithfulness, service, and endurance; love expresses itself in service, and faithfulness leads to endurance. This means the last two actually are connected to and expressions of the previous two. So if we love, we will serve. If we are faithful, we will endure. How are our works? Are they greater than at first?
Comments